What is Gemcitabine?
GemcitabineGemcitabine

Patients may suffer from debilitating health issues that reduce their quality of life, making them dependent on others to adequately care for themselves and do normal tasks. The right kind of medicine may assist a patient in being able to be independent and improve the health condition they may be facing. Sometimes, the right drug may even offer the patient a cure, allowing them to live a regular life. Gemcitabine is such a medication. It is a type of chemotherapy drug that belongs to a category of drugs referred to as antimetabolites. Gemcitabine may treat different kinds of cancer, such as bladder and breast cancer. Depending on the type of cancer a person faces, one may have to take Gemcitabine alone or in combination with other cancer drugs. Radiotherapy treatment may also be afforded to a patient alongside the medication for their treatment.

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Gemcitabine injection

Depending on the patient’s need, a Gemcitabine injection may be administered. Gemcitabine injection differs from oral because the medication is put directly into a patient’s vein. As a result of the drug being placed directly in the person’s vein, the medication can circulate and reach all body parts much more quickly than other medicines, which may be in tablet or pill form. Also, unlike tablets and pills, Gemcitabine injection can avoid degradation in the person’s stomach. Also, more of the medication may be absorbed due to medication administration.

Gemcitabine side effects 

Every medication may have some kind of side effects.. Despite the several positive effects that it is supposed to have, every medication has some side effects that may adversely affect a patient. There are a handful of Gemcitabine side effects. It is a good idea for patients who take Gemcitabine to have an understanding of the possible side effects as they may be able to recognise them and get necessary medical attention for the same if necessary. 

Notable Gemcitabine side effects are:

  1. Pale skin
  2. Bruising or bleeding easily 
  3. Feeling numb or tingly 
  4. Feeling weak
  5. Feeling nauseous 
  6. Vomiting
  7. Stomach issues 
  8. Diarrhoea
  9. Being constipated 
  10. Regular headaches
  11. Swollen hands/ankles/feet,
  12. Rashes on skin
  13. Feeling drowsy
  14. Loss of hair
Serious Gemcitabine side effects

While the primary goal of taking medication is A patient may experience more serious side effects. Usually, these side effects will need medical attention as they could lead to further problems. It is important to deal with these side effects carefully to not harm a patient and worsen their health condition.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious Gemcitabine side effects such as:

  1. Feeling weak without cause 
  2. Reduced urination 
  3. Feeling itchy
  4. Appetite loss 
  5. Urine is dark in colour 
  6. Stools are clay-coloured
  7. Jaundice in which the skin or eyes of the patient turn yellow 
  8. chest pain or heavy feeling,
  9. Pain that spreads to the arm or shoulder 
  10. Sweating
  11. Feeling unwell 
  12. Feeling numb or weak, especially on one side of the body, at random moments
  13. Strong sudden headaches 
  14. Feeling confused
  15.  Vision/speech/balance issues 
  16. Feeling feverish
  17. Feeling chills in my body
  18. Regular body aches,
  19. Flu-like symptoms,
  20. White-coloured patches or sores inside the mouth or lip region
  21. Pain/swelling/skin changes where the needle was placed
  22. Auditory issues 
  23. Passing of blood and urine together 
  24. Respiratory issues 

One may experience Gemcitabine’s long-term side effects. Gemcitabine’s long-term side effects may affect patients over a long period or even cause irreversible damage, whose effects will show over time. Usually, medicines are not supposed to harm patients in this way. Still, one may experience long-term side effects if the medication does not suit them, is administered incorrectly, or if the patient overdoses. It is important to consult your doctor if any such Gemcitabine long-term side effects are experienced after administering the medication.

Gemcitabine uses

Different medications may have different types of uses, just like Gemcitabine. Some medicines may treat patients experiencing only a kind of health impediment. In contrast, other drugs may be used for various treatments, assisting different types of patients in different ways. There are also a handful of Gemcitabine uses. Gemcitabine is primarily used to treat different kinds of cancer, including bladder and breast cancer. The patient being treated for cancer may be given Gemcitabine in combination with other medicines or be given to the patient on its own. Gemcitabine hydrochloride is a drug that is used in chemotherapy for cancer patients and is called an antimetabolite. 

Gemcitabine injection inhibits the expansion of a malignant tumour, cancer cells, and other rapidly growing cells. It inhibits the growth of cancerous cells by preventing them from making DNA and RNA. This prevents them from harming nearby tissues and organs, which could cause health issues for patients. On receiving suitable doses of chemotherapy at the right time, cancer patients may be relieved from problems they may face due to a cancerous tumour. This may decrease the symptoms they face because of the cancerous or malignant tumour or may eradicate cancer from the body entirely. 

It is used for:

  1. Pancreatic cancer
  2. Non-small cell lung cancer
  3. Bladder cancer
  4. Soft-tissue sarcoma
  5. Metastatic breast cancer
  6. Ovarian cancer
Gemcitabine price 

One may like to know more about Gemcitabine’s price. The Gemcitabine price may be important for cancer patients who may be going through expensive treatments for the same. Over a long period, the medical costs build up, and patients may not always be in a financial position to immediately pay for treatment if the prices of medication or treatments are too high, which is why it may be a good idea to have an understanding of prices beforehand. One may also observe that healthcare costs have steeply risen in the last few years, especially with the coronavirus pandemic, which wreaked havoc on the healthcare systems in the country, causing a lot of issues for those working in healthcare, putting a lot of pressure on the system as a whole and leading to rising in prices of medicines and medical treatments as a result. It becomes important to know the Gemcitabine’s price as a result. 

The Gemcitabine price in India is: 

  1. Gemcitabine (1gm) Gemcite 1gm Injection, 1 Vial at Rs 6200/
Safety advice related to Gemcitabine

When having any medication, it is important to understand the precautions one must take to minimize the adverse effects or side effects of the medicine and increase the positive impact that may be experienced on taking it. The same goes for Gemcitabine. One may want to reduce the possible Gemcitabine side effects or any further complications to their health. They may take some steps to do so. 

1. Alcohol

Alcohol may after reacting with different kinds of medication if they are taken at the same time. A patient taking Gemcitabine injection may experience increased drowsiness due to taking Gemcitabine, so they may want to avoid consuming alcohol while taking Gemcitabine for their treatment.

2. Pregnancy 

Gemcitabine should be avoided during pregnancy. Taking Gemcitabine during pregnancy could result in complications related to the pregnancy or harm to the fetus. A person currently pregnant or trying to get pregnant may want to consult their doctor if Gemcitabine would be the right medication for them to take and what the possible side effects and risks could be when it comes to the same. 

3. Breastfeeding 

Breastfeeding or nursing a child may not be recommended while taking Gemcitabine because breast milk could pass the medication to the child. This may lead to complications which may harm the child, who might not be able to tolerate it. One must properly discuss with their doctor if taking Gemcitabinemay be a good idea while breastfeeding or nursing a child. 

4. Driving 

A person that takes gemcitabine injection should also try and avoid driving. Gemcitabine may cause sleepiness and drowsiness, which could cause increased disorientation for a person. One must ask their doctor if they should drive with the amount of Gemcitabine dosage they are being given. 

5. Liver 

If a person suffers from liver disease, they may take caution when taking Gemcitabine. Gemcitabine could cause liver complications, so it must be taken cautiously. There may be medications that can replace Gemcitabine in case of this. One must properly discuss reactions to certain medicines concerning their health condition for the best results with the most suitable type of medication. 

6. Kidney

If a person suffers from kidney disease, they may be advised not to take Gemcitabine or the medication with great caution. Gemcitabine could cause complications for people suffering from kidney-related issues or illnesses. Your doctor or medical authority may prescribe an alternate remedy, change the dosage of the medicine given to the patient or stop the administration of Gemcitabine immediately to find an alternative. 

7. Children

Gemcitabine may not be suitable for children. Below 18s may be discouraged from taking Gemcitabine as it may cause complications for them as they are still developing, so excessive use of this strong medication could cause cognitive or developmental issues. Children may be given alternative medicines that may not delay any growth and development in children while still treating the patient.

How is Gemcitabine given to patients?

It may be noted that a nurse may generally give a patient anti-sickness (anti-emetic) drugs before the chemotherapy. 

The chemotherapy drugs can be provided through:

  1. The nurse puts a short, narrow tube into a vein in your arm or hand (cannula). 
  2. A thin tube that goes under the skin of your chest and into a vein close by (central line).
  3. A thin tube is put into a vein in your arm and goes up into a vein in your chest (PICC line).

Contacts 

As a precautionary measure, a patient taking Gemcitabine injections for their treatment should take note of contacts that may be relevant to them or their treatment. One must keep in touch with the doctor, hospital or medical authority where they are receiving their treatment. In case any emergency occurs, they may have these numbers at their fingertips and be able to contact them as fast as possible. One may also keep the numbers of poison control or ambulance service in case one may experience some side effects, overdoses on the medication, or need ambulance services for any reason.

How long does treatment using this medication last?

A cycle (dose) of Gemcitabine with paclitaxel is about 21 days long. Gemcitabine may be given on certain days of the cycle of the treatment. These would be days one and eight of the cycle. There is a period between each cycle that a patient may go through. This period may allow one’s body to recover from the effects of the treatment. The number of cycles will suit the health condition of the patient. One may be able to discuss the number of cycles and why they are necessary to the treatment or with their doctor, medical authority or medical team overlooking their treatment.

Monitoring and Testing:

Monitoring and testing may be an important part of the treatment of a patient to ensure that the treatment is going as planned. A patient may be monitored and tested at regular intervals by their doctor. When a person takes a chemotherapy drug like Gemcitabine, there is always a risk of some side effect or a complication related to the drug, even though this may not always occur; it is a good idea to monitor a patient for any possible side effects and the\ response to the therapy that they are receiving as well. Blood work may also be carried out from time to time. The purpose of the blood work will be to monitor a patient’s complete blood count (CBC). Blood work may also assist in monitoring the proper functioning of other organs. Important organs that may be monitored are the kidneys and liver.

Can I take vaccines when going through chemotherapy? 

Patients may want to know if they can take vaccines during chemotherapy. While vaccinations may be important in certain situations, it may benefit a chemotherapy patient to avoid the same. A patient taking Gemcitabine must not have any live vaccines while having chemotherapy. Live vaccines include mumps, measles, rubella (German measles), polio, BCG (tuberculosis), shingles, and yellow fever. Vaccines should be avoided during chemotherapy because they require an immune system that reacts to it. The patient’s immune system may not respond appropriately while undergoing chemotherapy. 

How is cancer caused?

Gemcitabine treats cancer caused by a harmful or malignant tumour in a person’s body. One must know the difference between a malignant and benign tumour. A benign tumour, on the other hand, is a tumour that does not spread and grows slowly. A malignant tumour spreads rapidly and damages the tissues and organs in a person’s body. Gemcitabine works to slow down and stop the growth of harmful or malignant cells in the body to relieve the person from the tumour they are suffering from. 

What should a person do in case of an overdose of Gemcitabine?

Human error may occur at any time, and one may not be free from this, even in medicine. Overdoses may happen if the wrong amount of Gemcitabine is given to them. This overdose may cause some issues for a patient. No antidote may be offered if they overdose on Gemcitabine. The toxicities observed when a person was given an excess or overdose of Gemcitabine were myelosuppression, paresthesia, and severe rash. The blood counts should be monitored, and patients should be provided with supportive therapy, as necessary, if one may have overdosed on Gemcitabine. A poison control hotline may also be contacted in case some effects, especially severe effects, are seen after the person has overdosed on the medication.

How quickly may a patient feel the effects of the medication?

Every medication may need to have some effect on a patient, both positive as well as negative. This effect may be felt after some time, and it takes time for a patient to feel it. A patient may also feel certain effects on taking Gemcitabine. Usually, Gemcitabine starts working around a week after the person’s treatment. As for negative outcomes, Gemcitabine may diminish the white blood cells produced in the bone marrow, making a person more susceptible to infections. One may notice their disease resistance at the lowest 10–14 days post-chemotherapy.

Does a patient lose their hair on using Gemcitabine?

Gemcitabine may lead to a patient’s hair thinning without any other medication. Gemcitabine that may be administered to a patient with carboplatin or paclitaxel may cause more severe effects. Most people lose their body hair due to using these medications together. This may lead to a loss in the scalp region, eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair. A patient may undergo scalp cooling to prevent or lessen hair loss.

How long does chemotherapy last in a person’s body?

Gemcitabine, also known as Gemzar (its brand name), is a medication that may be used to treat cancer patients. Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug. It is used to treat different kinds of cancers like testicular cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and bladder cancer. This medication may be administered to the necessary patient through intravenous infusion or injection. Generally, a patient’s body may take about 48 to 72 hours to completely break down medication for chemotherapy. However, while this may generally be the time it takes to break the drug down, every patient’s body is different, so that this range could vary. 

Storage

The Gemcitabine injection is only administered at medical facilities. This may be stored by medical staff and should be kept from home. They will have the n necessary storage faculties for the same. It must also be noted that the administration of Gemcitabine should be done by medical staff only, and a person who is not employed in a medical facility and given the task of administrating the medicine should not be allowed to do so, which is why regular people are not allowed to keep Gemcitabine at home. 

What treatment may a patient receive after completing their chemotherapy sessions?

Chemotherapy sessions may last for some time, with breaks in between. A person’s cancer could shrink after the first round of chemotherapy. Still, it could take several months, depending on the cancer patient, their tumour, and their body and tumour response to the chemotherapy. The patient may then be given Maintenance therapy. Maintenance therapy is the treatment of the malignant tumour of the patient with a different kind of medication. This stage happens after the cancer has responded to the first recommended treatment.

Maintenance therapy, sometimes called continuous treatment, is done to ensure that the cancerous tumour or malignant tumour does not come back. In case the cancer comes back, this is called cancer recurrence. When there is a period that no tumour has been detected for some time after treatment for cancer for a patient, it may be detected again in the body of the patient. The person may then have to receive the necessary cancer treatment again. When cancer recurrence occurs, the tumour may be present in the same region it was before or maybe in a completely different part of the patient’s body. 

Is chemotherapy damage that is caused to the body permanently?

Chemotherapy may cause damage that could last a lifetime. However, in some situations, people who have undergone chemotherapy experience delayed effects that could show up a long time later, which might even be years. Some people may even experience it. A person’s heart, lungs, kidneys, or reproductive organs may face the worst damage when it comes to damage caused by chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Patients must be given suitable medication when suffering from some health condition. For patients with cancer, this is especially important. While being afforded treatment, medication may be a huge factor; the treatment must be a joint effort of the doctor, medical staff, and patient alongside the medication, using medical facilities. The patient must be as informed as possible about the treatment and medication they are receiving to ensure a smooth treatment process. Learning about the drug’s side effects, price, and uses will ensure that a doctor is not just telling the patient what they must do, but the patient is aware of the treatment they are receiving and other related aspects. 

It is also essential to note that Gemcitabine’s price along with the expenses incurred throughout cancer treatment can be a significant concern for many patients. The high cost of cancer treatments in general, including chemotherapy drugs, can place a financial burden on individuals and their families. In such cases, crowdfunding can be a great tool to help alleviate the cost of cancer treatment.